Display apparatus having video call function, method thereof, and video call system

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus having a video call function, a control method for controlling the display apparatus, and a video call system that uses the display apparatus and control method are provided. The display apparatus includes: an external source connection unit to which an external source is connected; a camera connection unit to which a camera is connected; a network communication unit which enables network communication with other display apparatuses; and a controller which controls a codec processing unit to process a video signal from at least one of the camera and the external source and output the processed signal to the network communication unit during the video call. The display apparatus can share various information input from the camera, a microphone, and the external source with an opposite call party.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser.No. 11/781,615, filed Jul. 23, 2007, which claims priority from KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2006-0115510, filed on Nov. 21, 2006 in theKorean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate toa display apparatus having a video call function, a control methodthereof, and a video call system, and more particularly, to selecting aninput source for video call.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a display apparatus having a video call function can beoperated in a video call mode and a monitor mode. The display apparatusis connected to a network and a video source (e.g., a personal computer,(PC), where the display apparatus performs a video call function in thevideo call mode, and operates as an ordinary monitor in the monitormode.

A mode switching button may be additionally provided in the displayapparatus for selecting a desired mode.

The display apparatus processes a signal input from the video source(e.g., PC) and displays an image in the monitor mode, and processes asignal input from a camera/microphone and transmits processed data to anopposite call party through a network. In this way, a video conferencecan be carried out in the video call mode.

However, a related art display apparatus having a video call functionmay have an input source that is limited to a camera and a microphone inthe video call mode.

Therefore, various video/audio information cannot be shared in the videocall mode, particularly, in a video conference mode, such that theconference cannot be efficiently carried out.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only forenhancement of understanding of the background of the invention andtherefore it may contain information that does not form the prior artthat is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill inthe art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a display apparatus having a video callfunction that can share various information input from a camera, amicrophone, and an external source with an opposite call party, acontrol method of the display apparatus, and a video call system usingthe display apparatus and the control method.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided adisplay apparatus having a video call function, the display apparatuscomprising: an external source connection unit to which an externalsource is connected; a camera connection unit to which a camera isconnected; a network communication unit which enables external networkcommunication; a codec processing unit which encodes a video signalinput from at least one of the camera and the external source and,outputs the encoded signal to the network communication unit, anddecodes a video/audio signal received through the network communicationunit; a memory unit in which video source selection information relatedto a video input of the codec processing unit during a video call isstored; and a controller which controls the codec processing unit toprocess the video signal from at least one of the camera and theexternal source corresponding to the stored video source selectioninformation and output the processed signal to the network communicationunit during the video call.

The display may further comprise a video converter which converts thevideo signal input from the external source into an input format of thecodec processing unit and outputs the converted signal to the codecprocessing unit.

The display may further comprise: a user input unit through which auser's command is input; and a user interface (UI) generator whichgenerates a UI menu through which a user selects the video signal of atleast one of the camera and the external source as the video inputduring the video call, wherein the controller controls the memory unitto store the video source selection information on the video inputselected through the user input unit.

The controller may control the codec processing unit to combine a firstvideo signal input from the camera and a second video signal input fromthe external source and output the combined signal to the networkcommunication unit if both of the video signal from the camera and thevideo signal from the external source are selected as the video input ofthe memory unit.

The controller may control the codec processing unit to combine thevideo signal input through the network communication unit and the secondvideo signal from the external source and internally output the combinedsignal during the video call.

The controller may control the codec processing unit to combine thevideo signal input through the network communication unit, the firstvideo signal from the camera and the second video signal from theexternal source, and internally output the combined signal during thevideo call.

The display apparatus may further comprise a microphone connection unitto which a microphone is connected, wherein the codec processing unitencodes an audio signal input from at least one of the microphone andthe external source and outputs the encoded signal to the networkcommunication unit, the memory unit stores audio source selectioninformation on an audio input of the codec processing unit during thevideo call, and the controller controls the codec processing unit toprocess the audio signal from at least one of the microphone and theexternal source corresponding to the stored audio source selectioninformation and output the processed signal to the network communicationunit.

The UI generator may generate the UI menu for a user to select the audiosignal from at least one of the microphone and the external source asthe audio input for the video call, and the controller may control thememory unit to store the audio source selection information on the audioinput selected through the user input unit.

The display apparatus may further comprise: a microphone connection unitto which a microphone is connected; and an audio converter whichconverts an audio signal input from the microphone and the externalsource into an input format of the codec processing unit and outputs theconverted signal to the codec processing unit, wherein the codecprocessing unit encodes the input audio signal from the audio converterand outputs the encoded signal to the network communication unit, thememory unit stores audio source selection information on an audio inputof the codec processing unit for the video call, and the controllercontrols the audio converter to convert the audio signal from at leastone of the microphone and the external source corresponding to thestored audio source selection information and output the convertedsignal to the codec processing unit for the video call.

The UI generator may generate the UI menu through which a user selectsthe audio signal from at least one of the microphone and the externalsource as the audio input for the video call, and the controller maycontrol the memory unit to store the audio source selection informationon the audio input selected through the user input unit in the memoryunit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda display apparatus having a video call function, the display apparatusmay comprise: an external source connection unit to which an externalsource is connected; a camera connection unit to which a camera isconnected; a network communication unit which supports external networkcommunication; a codec processing unit which encodes a video signaland/or an audio signal and, outputs the encoded signal to the networkcommunication unit, and decodes a video signal and/or an audio signalreceived through the network communication unit; a video path switchingunit which controls an input path of a first video signal input to thecodec processing unit from the camera and a second video signal input tothe codec processing unit from the external source; a memory unit whichstores video source selection information on a video input of the codecprocessing unit for a video call; and a controller which controls thevideo path switching unit to output at least one of the first and secondvideo signals corresponding to the video source selection informationstored in the memory unit to the codec processing unit for the videocall.

The controller may control the video path switching unit to output thefirst and second video signals to the codec processing unit if both ofthe first video signal from the camera and the second video signal fromthe external source are set to the video input in the memory unit, andthe codec processing unit may combine the first video signal and thesecond video signals and outputs the combined signal to the networkcommunication unit.

The display apparatus may further comprise: a microphone connection unitto which a microphone is connected; and an audio path switching unitwhich controls an input path of a first audio signal input from themicrophone to the codec processing unit and a second audio signal inputfrom the external source to the codec processing unit, wherein thememory unit stores audio source selection information on an audio inputof the codec processing unit for the video call, and the controllercontrols the audio path switching unit to output at least one of thefirst audio signal and the second audio signal corresponding to theaudio source selection information stored in the memory unit for thevideo call.

The display apparatus may further comprise: a microphone connection unitto which a microphone is connected; an audio converter which converts anaudio signal input from at least one of the microphone and the externalsource into an input format of the codec processing unit and outputs theconverted signal to the codec processing unit; and an audio pathswitching unit that controls an input path of the first audio signalinput from the microphone to the audio converter and the second audiosignal input from the external source to the audio converter, whereinthe codec processing unit encodes the audio signal input through theaudio converter and outputs the encoded signal to the networkcommunication unit, the memory unit stores audio source selectioninformation on an audio input of the codec processing input for a videocall, and the controller controls the audio path switch unit to outputthe audio signal from at least one of the microphone and the externalsource corresponding to the stored audio source selection information tothe audio converter for the video call.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda video call system that may comprise: an external source; a firstdisplay apparatus connected with the external source, selectivelyprocessing at least one of a first video signal input from a camera anda second video signal input from the external source and outputting theprocessed signal through network communication; and a second displayapparatus connected with the first display apparatus through the networkcommunication, and processing a video signal input from the firstdisplay apparatus and displaying the processed signal as an image.

The first display apparatus may selectively process at least one of afirst audio signal input from a microphone and a second audio signalinput from the external source and transmit the processed signal to thesecond display apparatus, and the second display apparatus may processan audio signal input from the first display apparatus and output theprocessed signal to a speaker.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method for controlling a display apparatus including an externalsource connection unit to which an external source is connected, amicrophone connection unit to which a microphone is connected, and anetwork communication unit which supports network communication withother display apparatusess, and having a video call function, the methodmay comprise: selecting at least one of the camera and the externalsource as a video input for the video call; storing the selected videoinput as video source selection information; encoding a video signalinput from at least one of the camera and the external sourcecorresponding to the stored video source selection information for thevideo call; and networking the encoded video signal and transmitting thesignal to a remote call party through the network communication unit.

According to an aspect of the invention, the method may furthercomprise: selecting at least one of the microphone and the externalsource as an audio input for the video call; storing the selected audioinput as audio source selection information; and encoding an audiosignal from at least one of the camera and the external sourcecorresponding to the stored audio source selection information for thevideo call; and networking the encoded audio signal and the encodedvideo signal and transmitting the audio and video signals to the remotecall party through the network communication unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects and features of the present invention willbecome apparent and more readily appreciated from the followingdescription of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a video call system according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a display apparatus 100 accordingto a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a video call screen according to the first exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show a flowchart of the display apparatus accordingto the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of a display apparatus according to asecond exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of a display apparatus according to athird exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE, NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS OFTHE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elementsthroughout. The exemplary embodiments are described below so as toexplain the present invention by referring to the figures.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a video call system according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. The video call systemaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes adisplay apparatus 100 having a video call function, an external source200 that can be directly connected to the display apparatus 100, anetwork 300 for communication of the display apparatus 100, and otherdisplay apparatuses 400A to 400N that perform a video call with thedisplay apparatus 100.

The display apparatus 100 has a networking function, and accesses aserver (not shown) to execute a program stored in a server and use datastored in the server. In addition, the display apparatus 100 cancommunicate with other display apparatuses 400A and 400B through thenetwork 300.

The networking function of the display apparatus 100 includes a videocall function, which allows a user of the display apparatus 100 toperform a video call with the other display apparatuses 400A and 400Bthrough the network 300. Hereinafter, a video call function mode will bereferred to as a video conference mode. The video call is supported by avoice over internet protocol (VoIP).Therefore, the display apparatus 100and the other display apparatuses 400A and 400B respectively have amodule that enables VoIP-based communication.

The display apparatus 100 may function as a general monitor as well. Thedisplay apparatus 100 is directly connected to the external source 200and simply displays a video signal input from the external source 200.

The display apparatus 100 can be switched from a network function modeto a monitor function mode by using a mode switching key (e.g., ahotkey) provided in a main body casing of the display apparatus 100.Therefore, the user can select a desired mode by pressing the modeswitching key.

The external source 200 is directly connected to the display apparatus100 and outputs a video signal and/or an audio signal, and can beprovided as various sources such as a (PC) or a digital versatile/videodisk (DVD) player.

The display apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention can process signals input from a camera, a microphone,and the external source 200 and transmit the processed signals to theother display apparatuses 400A and 400B when performing a video callwith the display apparatuses 400A and 400B.

Therefore, the display apparatus 100 can share data from the externalsource 200 by transmitting a signal from the external source 200 to anopposite call party unlike a related art display apparatus thattransmits only a signal from a camera or a microphone.

The display apparatus 100 and the other display apparatuses 400A and400B can perform network communication through an internet.

A further description of the display apparatus 100 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention will be provided later.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a display apparatus 100 accordingto a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The display apparatus 100 according to the first exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention includes an external source connection unit 10, animage signal processor 11, a display unit 13, a network communicationunit 20, a camera connection unit 30, a codec processing unit 40, amemory unit 50, and a controller 60.

The external source connection unit 10 can be realized as variousinterfaces. For example, but not by way of limitation, such interfacesmay include a D-sub, a digital video/visual interface (DVI), a highdefinition multimedia interface (HDMI). The external source connectionunit 10 is connected to the external source 200, which can be providedas a PC or a DVD player.

When the display apparatus 100 is operated in the monitor function mode(hereinafter referred to as a normal monitor mode), a signal inputthrough the external source 200 is processed by the image signalprocessor 11 and displayed on the display unit 13. The image signalprocessor 11 may include a data converter (not shown) for converting adata format of the signal input from the external source 200 to beappropriate for a processing format of the image signal processor 11,and a scaler (not shown) for scaling the converted signal to beappropriate for an output scale of the display unit 13. For example,when the external source 200 is provided as a PC and the external sourceconnection unit 10 is provided as a D-sub connector, the data convertercan be realized as an analog-to-digital converter (A/D converter) thatconverts an analog video signal into a digital video signal.

The display unit 13 displays a video signal processed by the imagesignal processor 11 on a screen, and includes a display panel (notshown) on which an image is displayed and a panel driver (not shown) forcontrolling driving of the display panel. According to the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention, various types of displaymodules such as a digital light processing (DLP), a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), and a plasma display panel (PDP) can be provided to thedisplay unit 13.

The network communication unit 20 processes network communication withother display apparatuses, and can be provided, for example, as a localarea network (LAN) card.

An imaging device (e.g., a camera) (not shown) is connected to thecamera connection unit 30, and the camera connection unit 30 receives avideo signal taken by the camera and outputs the received signal to thecodec processing unit 40.

The codec processing unit 40 encodes or decodes a video/audio signal,and can be provided as a codec chip, which is a digital signalprocessor. The codec processing unit 40 encodes a video signal inputfrom the external source 200 and/or the camera into a predeterminedtransmission format, digitally packetizes the encoded video signal andoutputs the packet signal to the network communication unit 20. Thecodec processing unit 40 decodes the data input from the networkcommunication unit 20 into an internal processing format and outputs thedecoded data to an internal module.

The codec processing unit 40 selectively processes an input video signalaccording to control of the controller 60. For example, the codecprocessing unit 40 may process a video signal input from only one of thecamera and the external source 200 and output the processed signal tothe network communication unit 20. The codec processing unit 40 may alsooutput a video signal combined from both the camera and the externalsource 200 by using a picture-in-picture (PIP) function, apicture-by-picture (PBP) function, or a picture-out-picture (POP)function.

The memory unit 50 stores video source selection information thatindicates a video input setting of the codec processing unit 40, and canbe provided, for example, but not by way of limitation, as anelectrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM).

The controller 60 controls overall operation of the display apparatus100, and can be provided as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MPU). When the display apparatus 100 is switched to thevideo call mode, the controller 60 controls the codec processing unit 40to select and process a video signal according to a video input set inthe memory 50.

For example, when the video input is set to the camera in the memoryunit 50, the controller 60 controls the codec processing unit 40 toprocess a first video signal input from the camera, and when the videoinput is set to the external source 200 in the memory 50, the controller40 controls the codec processing unit 40 to process a second videosignal input from the external source 200. In addition, when the videoinput is set both to the camera and the external source 200 in thememory unit 50, the controller 60 controls the codec processing unit 40to combine the first video signal input from the camera and the secondvideo signal input from the external source 200 and process the combinedsignals.

According to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, avideo signal input from the external source 200 can be shared bytransmitting the signal to an opposite call party via the network 300according to setting information stored in the memory unit 50.

FIG. 3 shows a combined image displayed on a receiving side-displayapparatus. The combined image in FIG. 3 is formed by combining the firstvideo signal and the second video signal and is then transmitted to adisplay apparatus 100 of an opposite call party according to the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The first video signal input from the camera and the second video signalinput from the external source 200 are combined and processed.Accordingly, a calling party and a called party can share data from theexternal source 200 during the call.

The display apparatus 100 according to the first exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention can be efficiently used when a user wants to sharedata from the external source 200 with an opposite call party, or for aconference meeting.

The display apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment mayfurther include a video converter 15. Referring to FIG. 2, the videoconverter 15 converts a data format of a video signal input from theexternal source 200 into an input format for the codec processing unit40. For example, when the external source 200 is provided as the PC andan analog video signal is input from the PC, the video converter 15 canbe provided as an A/D converter that converts an analog video signalinto a digital video signal of the processing format of the codecprocessing unit 40. When the external source connection unit 10 isprovided as a DVI or HDMI, the video converser 15 can be provided as aprocessing module that converts a digital input format to be appropriatefor the codec processing unit 40.

In addition, the display apparatus 100 according to an exemplaryembodiment may further include a microphone connection unit 70, an audioconverter 71, and a speaker 73.

The microphone connection unit 70 is a terminal where the microphone isconnected. The audio converter 71 converts an audio signal input throughthe microphone connection unit 70 into the input format of the codecprocessing unit 40. The audio converter 71 converts the analog audiosignal input from the external source 200 into a digital audio signal ofthe input format of the codec processing unit 40, and can be provided,for example, as an A/D converter. In addition, the audio converter 71can convert the audio signal input from the external source 200 to beappropriate for the input format of the codec processing unit 40.

The memory unit 50 may store audio source selection information thatindicates an audio input in addition to the video source selectioninformation. The controller 60 controls an audio input of the audioconverter 71 according to the audio source selection information storedin the memory unit 50.

In other words, when the audio input is set to a microphone, thecontroller 60 controls the audio converter 71 to process only a firstaudio signal input from the microphone and outputs the processed signalto the network communication unit 20. When the audio input is set to theexternal source 200, the controller 60 controls the audio converter 71to process only a second audio signal input from the external source 200and output the processed signal to the network communication unit 20,corresponding to the audio source selection information. In addition,when both of the microphone and the external source 200 are set to theaudio input in the memory unit 50, the audio converter 71 combines thetwo signals and processes the combined signals.

The codec processing unit 40 processes an audio signal output from theaudio converter 71 based on the VoIP transmission protocol and transmitsthe processed audio signal to the network communication unit 20. Thecodec processing unit 40 also divides an audio signal from data of aremote party input through the network 300, decodes the audio signal,and outputs the decoded audio signal to the speaker 73 for a user.

Therefore, the opposite call party can hear the audio signal input fromthe external source in addition to voice of the user of the displayapparatus 100, input through the microphone.

A method for setting a video input and an audio input included in thememory 50 will be described in further detail.

As shown in the first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the displayapparatus 100 may further include a user input unit 80, a South bridge81, and a user interface (UI) generator 90.

The user input unit 80 receives a control command and data from a user.For example, but not by way of limitation, the user input unit 80 may beprovided as a keyboard, a mouse, and/or a plurality of buttons. Thecontrol command and data input through the user input unit 80 areinterfaced through the South bridge 81 and then interpreted by thecontroller 60 such that the controller 60 controls each element toperform an operation corresponding to the input of the user. The Southbridge 81, the network communication unit 20, and the controller 60 areinterfaced through a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus.

For example, mode conversion between the video call mode and the normalmonitor mode can be performed by an input of the user input unit 80. Thevideo input and the audio input can also be set by the input of the userinput unit 80.

The UI generator 90 generates a UI menu for setting a video input of thecodec processing unit 40 and an audio input of the audio converter 71,and can be provided as a manager program for a video conferencefunction. The UI menu generated by the UI generator 90 isscaling-processed by the image signal processor 11 and displayed on thedisplay unit 13.

The user may enter into the UI menu by manipulating the user input unit80, and set a desired video input/audio input by entering a video/audioinput data in an input menu or clicking a selection item displayed inthe UI menu. When the video conference function is selected, thecontroller 60 stores a video/audio input entered or selected through theuser input unit 80 in the memory unit 50 and controls a video input ofthe codec processing unit 40 and an audio input of the audio converter71 with reference to the stored information.

Data transmitted from the opposite call party through the networkcommunication unit 20 is decoded by the codec processing unit 40. Thedecoded video signal is graphic-processed and output to the scaler ofthe image processing unit 11, and the decoded audio signal is outputthrough the speaker 73. The scaler scales the graphic-processed signalinto a predetermined size and outputs the scaled signal to the displayunit 13. Accordingly, the user can receive image and voice of theopposite call party.

The controller 60 may include a graphic processing module that performsgraphic-processing on the data decoded by the codec processing unit 40.In other words, the controller 60 can be realized as a CPU having agraphic function when the controller 60 is provided as a CPU.

A video/audio input of a video call image displayed on the displayapparatus 100, and a sound may be changed according to user's setting.

In other words, when a user wants to receive only an image of anopposite call party, the codec processing unit 40 decodes only data ofthe opposite call party received through the network 300. When the userwants to receive the image of the opposite call party and an image ofthe external source 200, the codec processing unit 40 combines the datareceived through the network 300 and a second video signal input throughthe external source 200 and processes the combined data. According tothis exemplary embodiment, a screen displayed on the display apparatus100 of the user may be similar to the screen of FIG. 3.

More specifically, a combined image of the second video signal inputfrom the external source 200 and the image of the opposite call party isdisplayed on the video call function execution window, as shown in theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 3. “A” denotes a default screen when anetwork function is selected, “B” denotes a video call functionexecution window displaying a second video signal input from theexternal source 200, and “C” denotes an image of an opposite call partydisplayed in a predetermined area. The video call function executionwindow may be displayed over the entire screen in the area of “A”, and adisplay size and a display location of the image of the external source200 and the opposite call party may vary depending on user's setting.

In addition, when the user wants to view the image of the opposite callparty, the video signal from the external source 200, and an image ofthe user, the controller 60 controls the codec processing unit 40 tocombine the three video signals.

An audio signal input can be freely selected as the video signal input.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, atleast one audio input can be selected from among the microphone and theexternal source 200 by using the codec processing unit 40 rather thanusing the audio converter 71. The audio converter 71 converts all audiosignals input from the external source 200 and the microphone andoutputs the converted signals to the codec processing unit 40, whichselects at least one of the audio signals input from the external source200 and the microphone according to control of the controller 60.

A control method of the display device 100 having the video callfunction according to the first exemplary embodiment will be describedin further detail with reference to FIG. 4A and to FIG. 4B.

When the user selects UI menu generation through the user input unit 80,for setting of a video/audio input in the video call mode at operationof 500, the controller 60 controls the UI generator 90 to generate thecorresponding UI menu and display the UI menu on the display unit 13 atoperation of 501.

When a video input is selected through the user input unit 80 atoperation of 502, the selected video input is stored as video sourceselection information in the memory unit 50 at operation of 503. Inaddition, when an audio input is selected through the user input unit 80at operation of 504, the selected audio input is stored as audio sourceselection information in the memory unit 50 at operation of 505.

When a command for switching a current mode to the video call mode isinput through the user input unit 80 at operation of 506, the controller60 checks the video source selection information and the audio sourceselection information stored in the memory unit 50, at operation of 507.

When a camera is set to the video input at operation of 508, thecontroller 60 controls the codec processing unit 40 to encode a firstvideo signal input from the camera at operation of 509. When both of thecamera and the external source 200 are set to the video input atoperation of 510, the controller 60 controls the codec processing unit40 to combine and encode the first video signal input from the cameraand a second video signal input from the external source 200, atoperation of 511. In addition, when the external source 200 is set tothe video input, the controller 60 controls the codec processing unit 40to encode the second video signal input from the external source 200, atoperation of 512.

When the microphone is set to the audio input at operation of 513, thecontroller 60 controls the audio converter 71 to convert a first analogsignal input from the microphone and output the converted signal to thecodec processing unit 40 at operation of 514. When both of themicrophone and the external source 200 are set to the audio input atoperation of 515, the controller 60 controls the audio converter 71 toconvert and combine the first audio signal input from the microphone anda second audio signal input from the external source 200 and output thecombined and encoded signal to the codec processing unit 40 at operationof 516. In addition, when the external source 200 is set to the audioinput, the controller 60 controls the audio converter 71 to convert thesecond audio signal input from the external source 200 and output theconverted signal to the codec processing unit 40 at operation of 517.

The encoded video/audio signal is packetized and then output to thenetwork communication unit 20 at operation of 518, the networkcommunication unit 20 transmits the received data packet to an oppositecall party through the network 300 at operation of 519 by networking thereceived data packet.

A display apparatus 100 according to a second exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described in further detail with referenceto FIG. 5. Like reference numerals refer to like elements of theprevious exemplary embodiment, and further descriptions of constituentelements that are the same as those of the previous exemplary embodimentof the present invention will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the display apparatus 100 according to the secondexemplary embodiment may further include a video path switching unit 41and an audio path switching unit 72.

The video path switching unit 41 controls a video input path of a videosignal input to the codec processing unit 40, and can be provided as aswitching module or a multiplexer.

The video path switching unit 41 controls a video input from the cameraand the external source 200. The controller 60 controls an operation ofthe video path switching unit 41 according to the video source selectioninformation set in the memory as in the previous exemplary embodiment.The video path switching unit 41 switches an input path of a video inputfrom the camera and an input path of a video input from the externalsource 200 so as to input either the video input from the camera or thevideo input from the external source or both of the video inputs fromthe camera and the external source 200 to the codec processing unit 40.

In addition, the audio path switching unit 72 controls an audio inputfrom the microphone or the external source 200. The controller 60controls the audio path switching unit 72 to output the correspondingaudio signal to the audio converter 71 according to the audio sourceselection information set in the memory unit 50.

Accordingly, the user can share the second video signal and the secondaudio signal input from the external source 200 with the opposite callparty.

A display apparatus 100 according to a third exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention will be described in further detail with reference toFIG. 6. Like reference numerals designate like constituent elements ofthe previous exemplary embodiments, and further descriptions ofconstituent elements that are the same as those of the previousexemplary embodiment of the present invention will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the display apparatus 100 according to the thirdexemplary embodiment may further include a video path switching unit 41and an audio path switching unit 42.

The display device of the third exemplary embodiment is similar to thatof the second exemplary embodiment, except that the audio path switchingunit 42 is located between the audio converter 71 and the codecprocessing unit 40.

In other words, in the third exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, the audio converter 71 processes and outputs audio signalsinput from the external source 200 and the microphone and the audio pathswitching unit 42 outputs one of the audio signals or both of the audiosignals to the codec processing unit 40 according to control of thecontroller 60.

Accordingly, the user can share the second video and audio signals inputfrom the external source 200 with the opposite call party.

As described above, various information input from a camera, amicrophone, and an external source can be shared with the opposite callparty by using the display apparatus, the control method of the displayapparatus, and the video call system using the display apparatus and thecontrol method according to the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have beenshown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat changes may be made in these exemplary embodiments withoutdeparting from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope ofwhich is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A display apparatus having a video call function, the displayapparatus comprising: a camera connection unit to which a video camerais connected; a network communication unit which enables externalnetwork communication; a codec processing unit which encodes a videosignal input from at least one of the video camera and a video datasource different from the video camera and, outputs the encoded signalto the network communication unit, and decodes a video or audio signalreceived through the network communication unit; and a controller whichcontrols the codec processing unit to process the video signal inputfrom at least one of the video camera and the video data sourcecorresponding to video source selection information and outputs theprocessed signal to the network communication unit during a video call,wherein the video source selection information is used to select atleast one of the camera and the external source as a video input of thecodec processing unit during the video call.
 2. The display apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the video data source comprises an external sourceconnected via an external source connection unit.
 3. The displayapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a video converter whichconverts the video signal input from the video data source into an inputformat of the codec processing unit and outputs the converted signal tothe codec processing unit.
 4. The display apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising; a user input unit through which a command is input; and auser interface (UI) generator which generates a UI menu through whichthe video signal of at least one of the camera and the video data sourceis selected as the video input during the video call, wherein the videosource selection information is on the video input selected through theuser input unit.
 5. The display apparatus of claim 4, wherein, if bothof the video signal from the camera and the video signal from the videodata source are selected as the video input, the controller controls thecodec processing unit to combine a first video signal input from thecamera and a second video signal input from the video data source andoutput the combined signal to the network communication unit.
 6. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller controls the codecprocessing unit to combine the video signal input through the networkcommunication unit and the second video signal from the video datasource and internally output the combined signal during the video call.7. The display apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller controls thecodec processing unit to combine the video signal input through thenetwork communication unit, the first video signal from the camera andthe second video signal from the video data source, and internallyoutput the combined signal during the video call.
 8. The displayapparatus of claim 5, further comprising a microphone connection unit towhich a microphone is connected, wherein the codec processing unitencodes an audio signal input from at least one of the microphone andthe video data source and outputs the encoded signal to the networkcommunication unit, the controller controls the codec processing unit toprocess the audio signal from at least one of the microphone and thevideo data source corresponding to audio source selection informationand output the processed signal to the network communication unit, andthe audio source selection information is on an audio input of the codecprocessing unit during the video call.
 9. The display apparatus of claim8, wherein the UI generator generates the UI menu for a user to selectthe audio signal from at least one of the microphone and the video datasource as the audio input for the video call, and the audio sourceselection information is on the audio input selected through the userinput unit.
 10. The display apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: amicrophone connection unit to which a microphone is connected; and anaudio converter which converts an audio signal input from at least oneof the microphone and the video data source into an input format of thecodec processing unit and outputs the converted signal to the codecprocessing unit, wherein the codec processing unit encodes the inputaudio signal from the audio converter and outputs the encoded signal tothe network communication unit, the controller controls the audioconverter to convert the audio signal from at least one of themicrophone and the video data source corresponding to audio sourceselection information and output the converted signal to the codecprocessing unit for the video call, and the audio source selectioninformation is on an audio input selected through the user input unit.11. the display apparatus of claim 10, wherein the UI generatorgenerates the UI menu through which the audio signal from at least oneof microphone and the video data source is selected as the audio inputfor the video call, and the audio source selection information is on theaudio input selected through the user input unit.
 12. A displayapparatus having a video call function, the display apparatuscomprising: a camera connection unit to which a video camera isconnected; a network communication unit which enables external networkcommunication; a codec processing unit which encodes a video signal andan audio signal, outputs the encoded signal to the network communicationunit, and decodes a video signal and an audio signal received throughthe network communication; a video path switching unit which controls aninput path of a first video signal input to the codec processing unitfrom the video camera and a second video signal input to the codecprocessing unit from a video data source different from the videocamera; and a controller which controls the video path switching unit tooutput at least one of the first and second video signals correspondingto video source selection information to the codec processing unitduring a video call, wherein the video source selection information isused to select at least one of the video camera and the video datasource as a video input of the codec processing unit during the videocall.
 13. The display apparatus of claim 12, wherein the video datasource comprises an external source connected via an external sourceconnection unit.
 14. The display apparatus of claim 12, wherein, if bothof the first video signal from the camera and the second video signalfrom the video data source are set to the video input, the controllercontrols the video path switching unit to output the first and secondvideo signals to the codec processing unit, which combines the firstvideo signal and the second video signal and outputs a combined signalto the network communication unit.
 15. The display apparatus of claim12, further comprising: a microphone connection unit to which amicrophone is connected; and an audio path switching unit which controlsan input path of a first audio signal input from the microphone to thecodec processing unit and a second audio signal input from the videodata source to the codec processing unit, wherein the controllercontrols the audio path switching unit to output at least one of thefirst audio signal and the second audio signal corresponding to audiosource selection information for the video call, and the audio sourceselection information is on an audio input of the codec processing unitfor the video call.
 16. The display apparatus of claim 12, furthercomprising: a microphone connection unit to which a microphone isconnected; an audio converter which converts an audio signal input fromat least one of the microphone and the video data source into an inputformat of the codec processing unit and outputs the converted signal tothe codec processing unit; and an audio path switching unit thatcontrols an input path of the first audio signal input from themicrophone to the audio converter and the second audio signal input fromthe video data source to the audio converter, wherein the codecprocessing unit encodes the audio signal input through the audioconverter and outputs the encoded signal to the network communicationunit, the controller controls the audio path switch unit to output theaudio signal from at least one of the microphone and the video datasource corresponding to audio source selection information to the audioconverter for the video call, and the audio source selection informationis on an audio input of the codec processing input for the video call,and the audio source selection information is on an audio input of thecodec processing input for the video call.
 17. A video call systemcomprising: an external source; a first display apparatus connected tothe external source, selectively processing at least one of a firstvideo signal input from a camera and a second video signal input fromthe external source based on video source selection information, andoutputting the processed signal through network communication; and asecond display apparatus connected to the first display apparatusthrough the network communication, and processing a video signal inputfrom the first display apparatus and displaying the processed signal asan image, wherein the video source selection information is used toselect at least one of the camera and the external source as a videoinput of the first display apparatus.
 18. The video call system of claim17, wherein the first display apparatus selectively processes at leastone of a first audio signal input from a microphone and a second audiosignal input from the external source and transmits the processed signalto the second display apparatus, which processes an audio signal inputfrom the first display apparatus and outputs the processed signal to aspeaker.